Kings Mountain Art Fair returns this weekend

Kings Mountain Art Fair returns this weekend

The redwoods provide a bucolic setting for the Kings Mountain Art Fair on Labor Day weekend. This photo shows visitors at Marna Schindler's booth in 2013. (Photo by Aeron Noe.)

The Kings Mountain Art Fair, to be held once again over the Labor Day weekend at Kings Mountain, continues to rise in the ranks of fine art fairs in California. According to the Art Fair SourceBook, the fair is ranked third in the state this year, up from fifth in 2011.

The fair takes place over three days -- Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Aug. 30-Sept. 1 -- at the Kings Mountain Firehouse, 13889 Skyline Blvd. in Woodside. Breakfast is served from 8 a.m., and the artist booths open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Any changes this year are subtle "because we're still doing what we've done for 51 years, which is this fabulous art fair in the redwoods," says Dawn Neisser, executive director of the fair.

In recent years, the fair has accepted credit cards and has continued to improve its food offerings, but it hasn't branched out into other forms of entertainment, such as live music. It also has remained free of outside, commercial vendors.

Kings Mountain is still a pure art fair, run by volunteers. "Our artists tell us this is the most artist-friendly fair that they've participated in," Ms. Neisser says. "There are no distractions. This is one of those places where you really get to engage with the artists."

The 137 artists are selected by a jury and represent a variety of media, from fine painting to jewelry, woodwork and clothing. There are also 25 local artists on exhibit.

Families can visit Kiddie Hollow, where children do arts and crafts, play in the redwoods, or explore a Native American teepee. Kings Mountain Elementary School offers face painting and sells its famous giant cookies to raise funds for the school.

Proceeds from the event benefit both the school and the Kings Mountain Volunteer Fire Brigade.

There is no admission fee. Visitors park along Skyline Boulevard and either walk along the trails or take a free trolley shuttle to the main fair entrance. Pets are not permitted.